CHAPTER 25

"What? Well where is he? Let's go!" Finn eagerly shouted.

Malone slowly pulled himself off of the ground and was surprised he didn't feel as sick as he had the last time he had visions. He remembered what Challenger had told him months ago. Maybe all he had to do was learn to master the power to make it easier. But after months had went by and he had had no more visions, Malone believed his prior visions were a fluke related to the strong past of the knife. Now it seemed that the powers were linked to himself.

"It's not that simple, Finn. It'll take a couple of hours to get there. I can find my way there, but getting in won't be easy. You need to go back to the palace and get Veronica and her mother to allow you to bring some warriors with you. Challenger and I will leave a trail for you to follow. You shouldn't be too far behind us. When we get there we'll assess the situation and hopefully we'll have a plan by the time you get there with reinforcements."

Finn didn't look happy at being forced to stay behind but with a nod from Challenger she accepted it. She picked up Roxton's hat and dusted it off. "Might as well give some hope to Marguerite. I'll follow after you guys as quick as I can. Good luck!" With that, Finn turned and sprinted back towards the palace.

Challenger and Malone picked up their things and made their way to the gates of the city. Once they left Avalon, Challenger turned to Malone.

"Which way?"

Malone turned to the south and pointed towards the tree line. "There's a group of mountains beyond the trees. We have to head in that direction. Hopefully since I know which way I'm going it won't take us too long to get there. I just hope we won't get there too late."

Challenger didn't comment but nodded his head gravely. They both shouldered their packs and headed into the jungle.

XOXOXOXOXOXO

Summerlee and Veronica had finished bandaging Marguerite's head and had tried in vain to convince her to take a nap. The three of them, along with Abigail, had made their way to the same room where they had been greeted by Summerlee only the day before. So much had happened since then that it seemed like ages ago.

Veronica sat nearby Abigail, the joy at finding her mother awake and in better health subdued by the melancholy atmosphere of the recent turn of events. Summerlee had placed himself by Marguerite with the excuse of checking on her head wound every once in a while, but in reality he was worried about her. After the others had left, Marguerite had withdrawn into herself and had scarcely uttered a few words to anyone.

The truth was she was beside herself with worry. At first she was angry and cursed everything that she could think of: her injury that prevented her from being out there searching for Roxton herself, the men who took Roxton, and even her own lineage. If she hadn't been the damn chosen one Roxton never would have been taken. Marguerite had always wanted to find out who she was but the price was not acceptable. She couldn't lose him.

She trusted her friends to find Roxton, but she would have felt better if she was doing something herself. She wasn't used to sitting aside and depending on other people. She knew there was nothing she could do at the moment so she forced herself to sit quiet and not pace in circles with worry.

"Marguerite! Marguerite! Where are you?"

Marguerite and the others were startled by the shouting but recognized it was Finn's voice. Marguerite fearing the worst barely managed to shout out to Finn so she could know where they all were. As Marguerite heard Finn's rushed footsteps approaching she sent out nearly a dozen prayers hoping it wasn't bad news.

"Marguerite! Thank God!" Finn ran up to Marguerite and stopped to catch her breath.

Abigail saw how anxious Marguerite was and Finn's entrance wasn't helping matters. "Finn, please."

Finn looked at Marguerite and noticed the signs of distress on her face which usually would not be shown so easily. The past few days were emotional ones and they had clearly taken their toll on Marguerite. Finn handed Roxton's hat to Marguerite. "Here, we found this in the alley where you were attacked. When Malone touched it he had some sort of vision or something, I don't know. They didn't really explain it to me. Anyways, Malone thinks he knows where Roxton is so he and Challenger left already. I'm here to get some help and go after them."

Marguerite held Roxton's hat close to her chest and hung on to the small hope she had just been given. "Is Malone positive he can find him, Finn?"

"He looked pretty damn sure to me. He's going to lay a trail for me to follow and as soon as I get some Avatar warriors I can be off." Finn looked over at Abigail who was already moving to one of the guards stationed in the hall.

Abigail returned in a few moments. "I have sent for thirty guards to accompany you. They will be waiting for you by the gates to the city by the time you reach them. I would usually send at least a hundred but in this time I cannot risk leaving the city unprotected. I have many people to think of that dwell in the city." Abigail was speaking to Finn but Marguerite knew the words were intended for her. She nodded to herself as she understood the logic behind the words.

They all turned and took a step towards the doors that led out of the palace intending on escorting Finn to the outer gates, when an Avatar warrior rushed to Abigail. "My Lady, it is not safe to leave these walls. The Dark Ones have made it into the city and are marching towards the palace!" The warrior quickly herded the entire party away from the exits and windows and deeper within the palace.

"But Malone and Challenger! They're counting on me to bring back up!" Finn turned to rush back out into the city but the Avatar reached out and stopped her.

"That would not be wise, miss. Fighting has already broken out in the streets. The Dark Ones most likely have already taken control of the outer perimeter of the city. You would not make it out alive."

"Let go of me! I'm not sending two of my friends into danger when they're expecting help! I'll go by myself if I have to!"

Abigail and the others stopped running when they saw Finn arguing with the Avatar warrior whose job it was to protect the group until reinforcements arrived. Just as the others moved to approach Finn, it seemed as if there was a massive earthquake as the earth trembled violently. They swayed on their feet and tried to keep their balance. Abigail would have taken a nasty fall if Veronica had not been by her side to keep her upright. After a few moments, the shaking stopped and everyone let go of each other and the walls they were holding on to.

"What in the hell was that?" Marguerite shouted.

"A sign." Abigail stepped forward and took Veronica and Marguerite's hands. "It is a sign of what is coming. The storm is already approaching. Both of you must be prepared."

Veronica remembered the ferocity of the last storm and was worried about what they all would be facing. "What is going to happen to us, mother?"

Abigail looked at her daughter and smiled sadly. "I do not know, dear heart. All I can say for sure is that this is where we are all meant to be. Fulfill your destinies my dears and follow your hearts. Do what you know is right. Hopefully it will all turn out well in the end." Abigail squeezed both of their hands and smiled as they both nodded at her words.

"Excuse me for interrupting such a touching moment, but I could not resist my surprise. Abigail you are back on your feet!"

All eyes turned to two men at the end of the hall both similarly dressed in black. The younger man was in front while the older one stood behind with his hands calmly clasped behind his back.

"Dren! How dare you show your face here?" Abigail had realized that an attack would have happened sooner or later. While the Dark Ones, as they were called in the city, had the ability to travel using darkness and shadows to their advantage, Avalon had been built on the most powerful source of energy on the plateau. It was only in times like these, times when there was a lull in power as the plateau prepared to explode in either life or destruction that Avalon was at its weakest.

The Avatar warrior, immediately recognizing the two men as a threat, drew his two curved swords and came to stand in front of Veronica and Abigail. Finn meanwhile had drawn her crossbow and had also targeted Dren all ignoring the man accompanying him for the moment.

Marguerite had taken her pistol of her holster and had it aimed at Dren's chest. "Tell me where Roxton is right now and I might not shoot you."

Dren smiled and did not seem to be alarmed at having a gun pointed at him. "Such spirit! Come now, put the gun away. We both know that if you kill me you will never find him so let us drop the pretenses shall we?"

Marguerite pulled the hammer back on her pistol and looked more determined. "I didn't say anything about killing you. I said I wouldn't shoot you. There are quite a few places I could do damage that would still keep you alive. Now, where is Roxton?"

Dren lost the smug smirk on his face and frowned. He didn't expect Marguerite to act in this manner. Clearly Roxton's statements about her being strong were accurate. He took a moment to contemplate his next move.

"You!" In that short instant Finn moved her crossbow away from Dren to the other man who had moved from behind Dren to stand at his side. "You've got a lot of guts showing your butt ugly face here bucko! This time I'm going to kill you and you're not going to be able to run away like the coward you are!"

"Who is it, Finn?" Veronica had pulled out the two knives she had sheathed behind her back and came to stand beside the Avatar warrior. She made sure that both Summerlee and her mother were well out of the way and could still escape if a fight broke out.

"It's Zoth, Vee! It's the scum that destroyed my world!"

Marguerite and Veronica both looked shocked. Marguerite kept her gun leveled at Dren while taking a closer look at the man she felt she knew from somewhere. "That's Zoth? Are you sure? He looks familiar to me."

Zoth stepped forward with his hands raised and nodded. "Indeed that is who I am. I sense however, that Marguerite recognized me just as Lord Roxton had. Do you not remember me, Marguerite? The last time we met, I had longer hair and was dressed as a druid. You freed me and my brethren from a life of endless wandering."

Marguerite indeed remembered. She recalled sharing with Roxton a similar dream several months ago. "I thought it was a dream."

Veronica watched the exchange with confusion. Somehow both Marguerite and Roxton knew this man and she heard talk of druids. Why hadn't she heard of this before? "What's he talking about, Marguerite?"

"Roxton, Malone, and myself helped free some druids who were stuck in time. They said I was the reincarnation of Morrighan, their high priestess. But up until a while ago I had forgotten it had all happened."

Zoth nodded. "As you will probably have learned by now, you are not the reincarnation of Morrighan but one of her descendants. Forgive me for deceiving you, but it was necessary. Remember what I told you when we parted, your destiny would be revealed in time. I could not risk altering what was to come which is why I had to alter all of your memories. Now that the time has come, you must now follow your true destiny. Your heritage, your lineage, your destiny, it lies with us. Follow your true path, Marguerite."

"What about Roxton?"

Zoth turned back to Dren who nodded his head. "Join with us and you will be reunited with him. You can live out your destinies together."

Marguerite certainly wasn't stupid, she had been expecting this to happen since the moment Abigail warned her. She knew what she had to do. She could only hope she was doing the right thing. "Do I have your word on that?"

Zoth gave her a charming smile and bowed. "On my honor."

Finn watched the exchange in disbelief. "Are you kidding me? Haven't you heard what I've been telling you since the minute I got here? This guy is gonna destroy the world! His honor isn't worth crap! I know you love Roxton, Marguerite, but don't be stupid!"

Marguerite glared at Finn. "I know what I'm doing, Finn. This is none of your business."

Finn's anger flared. She wasn't about to let Marguerite risk the world by letting Zoth walk out of here alive. "The hell it isn't!" Finn aimed her crossbow at Zoth and prepared to fire when Marguerite pointed her own gun at Finn. "What the hell are you doing, Marguerite?"

"Drop it, Finn. Don't make me shoot you."

Finn looked in disbelief at her friend. "Go ahead, Marguerite. I don't care if I die as long as I take him with me." Finn turned away from Marguerite but her crossbow was knocked out of her hand.

Abigail had quickly moved to intervene before bloodshed ensued. "Do not be foolish, Finn."

"Are you all out of your minds!"

Dren had watched the entire exchange with satisfaction. Everything was going according to plan. Zoth had been able to use his charms and it looked like Marguerite would indeed join them. When he saw Marguerite turn her own gun on her friend, he was assured of his success. Very soon he would rule this plateau. When he saw Abigail step forward towards Finn, he saw the other part of his plan could finally be achieved. He slowly inched his sword from its scabbard at his side and waited for his moment to strike. The Avatar would have to be dealt with first. Now!

Dren attacked quickly with a quick stab to the abdomen of the warrior. The sword went in and out in an instant and did not even wait for the warrior to fall before he turned towards Abigail. By the time the others realized what had happened, it was too late. Dren had already grabbed Abigail and held the sword to her throat while using her body as a shield. "Now you will pay for what you have done to my father and my family!" Abigail struggled to get free but Dren had a tight hold on her. He hissed in her ear as he spoke. "I have dreamt of this moment for what seems like ages, but now my father will finally be avenged!"

Finn had made an attempt to stop Dren as she was closest to Abigail but was stopped by Zoth. She tried to get a shot at Dren with her crossbow but Zoth had used his sword and knocked it out of her hands. Now she was stuck without a weapon while her enemy had a sword pointed at her.

Marguerite tried to get a clear shot but Dren had succeeded in putting himself completely behind Abigail. "Let her go, Dren. No one has to die here."

"No one will prevent me from having satisfaction!"

Summerlee had been completely ignored throughout the past several minutes. They didn't perceive an old man as a threat and it gave him the opportunity to move freely. When the Avatar warrior had been run through by Dren, Summerlee had rushed over to see if he could administer any aid to save the young man's life. The wound had been too severe and Summerlee knew the young man would lose his life in moments. The warrior's breathing had become ragged and with his last breath he whispered to Summerlee. "Save the Protector." Summerlee nodded and eased the young man's head to the ground. Checking to make sure no eyes were on him, Summerlee quickly pocketed a small dagger that all the warriors wore at their waist.

He came within a few feet of Dren and saw Abigail continuing her struggle to get free. When she saw him approaching she gave him a questioning look. His eyes wandered down to his hand where Abigail saw the dagger concealed at his side. During the past few years, Abigail and Summerlee had grown to be very close friends and had grown to know and understand each other very well. With a glance at his face, she understood what he was planning to do. He hesitated only to ask her permission. She nodded her head and waited.

"You look like a sensible fellow, Dren," Summerlee said as he approached slowly even closer, "you must know that the moment you kill Abigail you will not live much longer yourself. Why not let her go?"

Dren laughed at Summerlee's words and lessened his grip on Abigail a fraction. He did not hold the knife at her throat anymore but shifted his hand down towards her abdomen. He didn't seem to mind that Summerlee had come to stand within an arms length of his right hand which held the knife that threatened Abigail's life. "What you speak is true old man. But I will not die. As we speak my people are taking the city and before long I will rule this plateau and no one will stand in my way!"

By now, Marguerite and the others had seen what Summerlee was doing and wisely did not interrupt. Hopefully he could get Abigail free. Finn of course was without a weapon, but the moment Summerlee acted it would be important for them to take care of Zoth. With an agility they wouldn't have known Summerlee to possess, the three women watched Summerlee brought the dagger up to Dren's right arm. The gash was deep and made him involuntarily loosen his hold. Abigail immediately broke free of his grasp. Dren cursed and lunged after her.

His stroke was wild but his sword was long and broad and it caught Abigail's side as she tried to run to Summerlee. She cried out and held onto her side but kept running towards her daughter. Summerlee had seen Abigail wounded but he couldn't help her at the moment. Dren had shifted his focus to him and he only had a small dagger to defend himself.

Zoth had been just as surprised when he saw Summerlee attack but before he could react, Marguerite already had her pistol pointed at him. Veronica had given Finn one of her extra knives and left them to keep an eye on him. She saw her mother running towards her and saw her clutching her side.

Veronica ran to her mother and caught her as she collapsed. "Mother! Are you all right?"

Abigail nodded her head as the earth shook again. Thunder sounded in the distance and they all could hear the wind picking up speed outside. Abigail pointed to the pendant around Veronica's neck. "It's time, Veronica. Do what must be done."

Veronica could feel the intense pain around her neck as she had felt the last time she had to wield the trion. She quickly ripped it off her neck and held it in the palm of her hand. She looked for Dren and saw that he was quickly approaching Summerlee with the very sword that he used to attack her mother. With one hand gripped tightly around the trion and the other around her knife, she gritted her teeth and ran towards Dren.

She moved to stand between Summerlee and Dren. "Summerlee, please go help my mother. She's hurt but I don't know how badly."

Summerlee nodded. "I'll take care of her, don't worry." He ran to Abigail leaving Veronica and Dren alone. Both hated each other and had a person to avenge. They held their weapons close and kept their eyes peeled for an opening to strike. The pain in Veronica's left hand was growing more and more intense but she blocked it out as she focused on Dren. He struck first with a blow that might have ended things quickly if Veronica didn't have quick reflexes. She avoided the blade of the sword and countered with the hand that held the trion. The punch seemed to transfer the energy that was building within the medallion to Dren as he felt a pain that he had never felt before. Slightly dazed, he didn't see the kick from Veronica that knocked the sword out of his hands.

Dren's anger was out of control now. He hadn't come this far to fail! The trion was within in his grasp and all he had to do was kill Veronica to accomplish all he had dreamed of. As Veronica prepared to strike with her knife, Dren used both hands and managed to disarm her, then he went for the medallion he knew was in her left hand. He could see the medallion glowing through her clenched fist as he felt the power radiating from it. The entire room was filled with it and he knew the time for his destiny had come. The storm was raging now and soon he would rule the plateau!

As both of them struggled, the trion became trapped between both of their hands and a bright light burst forth and it seemed as if the world exploded.